Elder And Sister Brown to the Romania/Moldova Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS

Elder & Sister Brown to the Romania/Moldova Mission

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

A quick trip back to Sibiu on Feb. 21-22 and we were giddy with excitement. With so many memories and things we wanted to do

Forgot to get a photo of our favorite corner and hotel we stayed at but took pictures from the Continental Forum of ---

Neptune swim pool and gym entry directly behind our hotel

What better way to unwind from a four hour trip than to go swimming. This time my favorite director was there and was able to tell him good bye.

View from our hotel room of the city and road we passed on daily to get to the church.

Met with Alena for one last hair cut in Romania and we connected on face book so we can stay in touch.

Dinner that night was extra special meeting up with Nicoleta our favorite tour guide and her boyfriend. We took the soras with us and hopefully at some point she and her boyfriend will decide they want to know more about the church.

Reason for the quick trip - Rand had agreed to be a witness for Florin in court. Florin wants to have visiting privileges with his 6 year old daughter and hopefully the court will agree that he can have time with her. The decision will be made next month but we won't need to go back. The court had to hire a translator which was a bit of a nuisance for Rand to be a witness.

Spring is in the air and the Browns are starting to go walking around the neighborhood for exercise. Not too far away they are building this soccer stadium.

Construction on the stadium at present.

Rand standing by the statue across the street from the stadium to be

Rand not standing by the statue.

We're wondering if this is the church the architect was referring to that is being built.

Finally got to see Adriana Decsy. She is a nurse that works nights. She was showing us the "spring flowers" she makes for women to wear March 1-8th. She makes them originally from something like play dough then paints them to sell or give to friends. She gave the soras and I each one. Adriana is the family history specialist in the Branch. She bore her testimony to us of the importance she feels towards our ancestors. It was so heart warming to hear.

Another evening we were invited to visit Lidia and Costi Istrate. Lidia loves to cook and had made us Googos. It is a dough thinner than doughnut dough that is dropped by the spoon full into hot oil. So delicious with Nutella or homemade apricot jam drizzled on top.

The Istrades and the Browns, Lidia hopes that her husband will soon join the church. He comes with her to church but as yet has not joined.

Sunrise view from Rand's office. We can see a Romanian flag in the distance that tells us if is is windy or not. The days are warmer and clear but a wind makes things still coat and hat weather for sure.

Full view of the Arad branch building.

The Soras went with us to Timisoara Branch again Sunday. They were hoping to make a visit afterward but it didn't work out. Disappointing maybe isn't a strong enough word. We have four more Sundays with the two branches. We are exhausted by the end of the day maybe not from the physical but mental. Sitting through hours of church in another language is exhausting. Rand says I should take notes to stay awake. Did he forget that I don't speak the language? Not sure what to take notes on. Funny man.

In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.Charity has been defined as “the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,” the “pure love of Christ … ; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with [her].”“Charity never faileth.” May this long-enduring Relief Society motto, this timeless truth, guide you in everything you do. May it permeate your very souls and find expression in all your thoughts and actions.